By PAUL GOTHAM
SPENCERPORT, N.Y. — Earlier this season, Mike Ellicott felt his squad needed to face some adversity. The fourth-year coach wanted to see how his team would respond in such a situation. Thursday night, the Hilton Cadets showed their ability to recover.
Top-seeded Hilton scored three unanswered goals and advanced to their second straight Section V Class AA boys’ soccer championship game.
“We learned a lot tonight,” Ellicott said after Hilton’s 3-1 win over Edison Tech in the Class AA semifinal game played at Spencerport Central Schools. “It was fun to watch because our guys responded.”
Trailing 1-nil early in the game, Justin Arilotta converted a penalty kick, and Hussian Ali put the Cadets (14-2-2) ahead going into halftime.
22’ Justin Arilotta levels the match. pic.twitter.com/FuwE0MDV4j
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 25, 2018
“We knew what they were going to bring us,” Ellicott said of Edison. “They came out playing a savvy game.”
VIEW MORE CHRIS ROACH PHOTOS HERE.
Malik Musa spotted No. 4 seed Edison a 1-nil lead in the seventh minute when the senior midfield tucked a direct kick under the cross bar from 20 yards out.
7’ Malik Musa converts the direct kick to give Edison Tech the early lead. @SecVBoysSoccer pic.twitter.com/cNLctdVJhI
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 25, 2018
Hilton needed 15 minutes to find the equalizer. That came when Justin Arilotta connected with 18:19 remaining in the first half. Ali redirected an Aiden Herron cross less than six minutes later to give Hilton a lead it did not surrender.
28’ Hussian Ali redirects the Aiden Herron cross to give @HiltonSoccer a 2-1 edge. pic.twitter.com/AYcxte5kRl
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 25, 2018
But the Cadets could not put away the Inventors. Despite a 12-1 advantage in shots on goal, Hilton’s lead did not increase over the next 40 minutes.
“We had too many opportunities where we beat a man and we were trying to look for that extra pass,” explained Ellicott. “The word I used from the bench tonight was intricate. It was too intricate. It’s a simple game. Play a simple game.
“It’s having somebody that’s want to be that lion in with the wildebeest and is not afraid to start pulling people apart and just jumping in on these loose balls.”
Edison goalkeeper Sumani Hassani made a series of point blank saves before Jack Gombatto scored with 8:33 remaining to give Hilton some breathing room.
Ladies and gentlemen: Sumani. Hassani. pic.twitter.com/s9yRDNxFsg
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 25, 2018
“We’ve kinda voiced all year about not being the selfish guy,” Ellicott added. “Tonight we kinda needed a selfish guy, and we didn’t really have one. It’s going to be a bit of a challenge for Tuesday going forward. Who wants to be that person? Collectively we want to work well as a machine and as our strength. But we need somebody that when we get into the 18 is going to be the guy to go to goal and not be afraid of taking the responsibility and trying to get the goal.”
Hilton will face division rival No. 6 seed Rush-Henrietta in Tuesday’s championship game. The Cadets (No. 5 NYSSWA) took both meetings during the regular season winning 2-1 on August 30th and 1-0 on September 25th.
“It’s going to be a heckuva match,” Ellicott noted. “I can’t speak enough to the strength of (Monroe County) Division I. Our team is in a tough division. Ten games against Fairport, Rush, Penfield, Victor, Schroeder it’s hard. I don’t think people get it unless they experience it.”
Hilton won the 2015 Class AA title as an eight seed.
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